For many young learners who stepped onto the pitch at Giant Stadium this past week, the 2026 Kay Motsepe Schools Football Championship National Finals represented far more than a chance to win silverware.
For learners travelling from rural villages and townships across South Africa, it was their first visit to Gauteng, their first opportunity to play under the watchful eyes of professional scouts, and an unforgettable glimpse of what their futures could hold.
While Navalsig High School, Laerskool Queenswood and St Marks Academy were crowned national champions on Wednesday, the real story unfolded far beyond the trophy podium. For the participating schools and hundreds of young learners, the tournament’s true triumph was the life-changing R8.6 million in infrastructure grants that will reshape classrooms, sports fields and communities for years to come.
From drilling boreholes and repairing classrooms to buying school buses and building proper sports fields, these grants ensure that every kick of the ball leaves a lasting legacy for entire communities long after the final whistle.
STORIES OF IMPACT: BRICK-AND-MORTAR TRANSFORMATION
To understand what this tournament means to a school, look no further than Mpumalanga’s St Marks Academy. After winning the U-19 Boys national title last year, the school transformed its campus with the prize money, buying two minibuses, installing solar panels, drilling a water borehole, and creating direct pathways into professional football, with players signing PSL contracts.
On Wednesday, St Marks continued that proud legacy by capturing the U-13 Girls national title and a fresh R1 million grant, proving that investing in young girls yields the same extraordinary results as investing in boys.
In the flagship U-19 Boys division, Free State’s Navalsig High School earned the national crown and a life-changing R3 million infrastructure grant, along with their gold medals, after a 2–0 win in the final. Eastern Cape’s Urban Academy claimed silver medals and a R700,000 grant as runners-up, while Gauteng’s Clapham High School secured third place, bronze medals, and a R600,000 grant with a 3–0 win over fourth-placed Ntsu Secondary from the Free State, which received a R500,000 grant.
The U-13 Boys division saw Gauteng’s Laerskool Queenswood take gold and a R1 million grant after a narrow 1–0 win in the final against Free State’s St Anne’s Primary, which took silver and R400,000. North West’s Potch Primary earned bronze and R300,000 for finishing third, while Mpumalanga’s Belfast Primary collected R200,000 in fourth place. In the U-13 Girls division, Mpumalanga’s St Marks Academy delivered a clinical 3–0 performance to claim gold and a R1 million grant, leaving Western Cape’s Lwazi Primary with silver and R400,000. St Anne’s Primary completed a double podium finish for their school by taking bronze and R300,000 in third place, while Eastern Cape’s Sterkspruit Primary received R200,000 for fourth place.
The individual awards ceremony saw South African football legends step up to recognise outstanding young talent, leadership, and character. Mamelodi Sundowns legend Tiyani Mabunda presented the Player of the Tournament awards to St Marks Academy’s Vuyisile Mtsweni (U-13 Girls), Laerskool Queenswood’s Lindokuhle Sekasi (U-13 Boys), and Navalsig High School’s Katleho Makhabasela (U-19 Boys).
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Former Bafana Bafana star Hlompho Kekana handed out the Golden Boot awards to top scorers Vuyisile Mtsweni, Jayden Booysen of Laerskool Queenswood, and Omphemetse Sekgoto of Clapham High School in their respective divisions. Meanwhile, youth coach Surprise Moriri presented the Coach of the Tournament accolades to Elsie Matokane of St Marks Academy, Themba Mnguni of Laerskool Queenswood, and Mzwakhe James of Navalsig High School for guiding their teams to national glory.
VOICES FROM THE LEADERSHIP
Mandisa Theko-Khitsane, Marketing Executive at Sanlam, reflected on the human-centered vision behind their 22-year partnership with the Motsepe Foundation:
"Our brand purpose is to help people live with confidence, and the Motsepe Foundation as well as the Department of Basic Education helps us fulfil that with our youth. The ability to support students is where you truly shape the South Africa of tomorrow.
“Celebrating 22 years of doing this shows that we put our money where our mouth is. Crucially, expanding into the U-13 Girls division speaks directly to equal access and equity—ensuring we nurture the girl child with the same dedication and belief as the boy child.”
Peter Ledwaba, Head of Sports at the Motsepe Foundation, added:
"We are delighted by the heart and determination shown by these learners. We are mandated by the leadership of the foundation, Dr Patrice Motsepe and Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, to ensure that youth football and school sports are given priority. Schools are the birthplace of dreams, and this is where we shape the leaders of tomorrow."
Hlompho Kekana, Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns Legend, emphasised the personal growth of the participants:
"South Africa does not have a shortage of talent; we just need to identify and capture it. Beyond tactical football, this tournament teaches these kids self-confidence, discipline, and social skills that they will carry for the rest of their lives."
